New Zealand international forward Max Mata has returned to his former club Sligo Rovers in the Irish League.
Max, 23, was loaned to Rovers on a short-term deal from Shrewsbury Town in English League One before signing for Sligo in August 2023 for an undisclosed transfer fee.
Read more: All Whites striker Max Mata completes move to English club Shrewsbury Town >>>>
Main photo: Max Mata… “Sligo was always my first choice.”
Since joining Shrewsbury, Mata has struggled to play games and a change in manager has meant he has been lowered in selection priority.
Auckland-born Mata was reunited at the club with All Whites teammate Nando Pinaker, who scored 11 goals in 23 appearances.
Mata told extratime.com and Ocean FM’s Donal Ryan:
“So with my club in England, I didn’t get to play a lot of games. I was looking quite a bit to see where I could go and this was an option for me and I’m definitely excited to take it. Ta.
“Sligo was always my first choice.
“It was good to see a lot of new faces on the first day, but also a lot of the same faces, which was great. But it’s not just for myself, it’s also for the club.”
Sligo Rovers manager John Russell told RTE:
“I’m really happy to have Max back. When he left, he was the league’s leading scorer and also, in my opinion, the league’s best centre-forward.
“It’s a real boost to have him back in the team for the start of the season.
“Max is a modern centre-forward who can connect plays and run in behind and is a real threat.
“He knows the environment, he knows the players, he knows the way we want to play, and we feel he can be an immediate hit.”
Mata will miss Friday’s league opener against Bohemians as he waits for a work permit, but could be available for Rovers’ game against Derry City a week later.
Mata played club football in New Zealand for Onehunga Sports, Eastern Suburbs and the Wellington Phoenix reserves, making his All Whites debut in 2019.
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